Editing Kentucky (section)

===Tourism===

{{See also|Kentucky Bourbon Trail}}
[[File:Ark Encounter 006.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Ark Encounter]] in [[Williamstown, KY]]]]

Tourism has become an increasingly important part of the Kentucky economy. In 2019 tourism grew to $7.6{{spaces}}billion in economic impact. Key attractions include [[horse racing]] with events like [[the Kentucky Derby]] and the [[Keeneland]] Fall and Spring Meets, [[Kentucky Bourbon Trail|bourbon]] distillery tours, including along the [[Kentucky Bourbon Trail]] and Louisville Urban Bourbon Trail,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Louisville, KY's Urban Bourbon Trail (UBT) |url=https://www.bourboncountry.com/things-to-do/urban-bourbon-trail/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219050143/http://www.bourboncountry.com/things-to-do/urban-bourbon-trail/index.aspx |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |access-date=July 2, 2022 |website=BourbonCounty.com}}</ref> and natural attractions such as the state's many lakes and parks to include [[Mammoth Cave]], [[Lake Cumberland State Resort Park|Lake Cumberland]] and [[Red River Gorge]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lanereport.com/116031/2019/08/kentucky-tourism-announces-increased-visitor-growth-and-spending-in-2018/|title=Kentucky Tourism says visitor spending rose to $7.6 billion in 2018|date=August 14, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914053739/https://www.lanereport.com/116031/2019/08/kentucky-tourism-announces-increased-visitor-growth-and-spending-in-2018/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The state also has several religious destinations such as the [[Creation Museum]] and [[Ark Encounter]] of [[Answers in Genesis]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Itinerary: Northern Kentucky Biblical Wonders |url=https://www.kentuckytourism.com/culture/spirituality/spiritual-itineraries/northern-kentucky-biblical-wonders |access-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918144205/https://www.kentuckytourism.com/culture/spirituality/spiritual-itineraries/northern-kentucky-biblical-wonders |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Answers in Genesis|url=https://answersingenesis.org/|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220152012/https://answersingenesis.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2002, the Kentucky governor [[Paul E. Patton]] unveiled the state slogan "It's that friendly",<ref name="nbcnews.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna8598104 |title=Kentucky frowns on smiley license plates |publisher=NBC News |date=July 16, 2005 |access-date=July 10, 2013 |archive-date=February 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218183645/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8598104/ns/us_news-weird_news/t/kentucky-frowns-smiley-license-plates/#.UXW--KJwiIQ |url-status=live }}</ref> in the hope of drawing more people into the state based on the idea of [[southern hospitality]]. Though it was meant to embrace southern values, many Kentuckians rejected the slogan as cheesy and generic.<ref name="nbcnews.com" /> It was seen that the slogan did not encourage tourism as much as initially hoped for. 

In 2004, then Governor [[Ernie Fletcher]] launched a comprehensive [[brand]]ing campaign with the hope of making the state's $12–14{{spaces}}million advertising budget more effective.<ref>{{cite web|title = Branding campaign puts Kentucky in step with national trend – Louisville – Louisville Business First|url = http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2004/12/06/story3.html|website = Louisville Business First|access-date = November 27, 2015|archive-date = January 1, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160101052615/http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2004/12/06/story3.html|url-status = live}}</ref> The resulting "Unbridled Spirit" brand was the result of a $500,000 contract with New West, a Kentucky-based public relations advertising and marketing firm, to develop a viable brand and tag line.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/02/business/02addes.html?_r=0 | work=The New York Times | title='Unbridled Spirit' Wins Kentucky Slogan Vote | date=December 2, 2004 | access-date=February 19, 2017 | archive-date=February 18, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218191446/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/02/business/02addes.html?_r=0 | url-status=live }}</ref> The Fletcher administration aggressively marketed the brand in both the public and private sectors. Since that time, the "Welcome to Kentucky" signs at border areas have an "Unbridled Spirit" symbol on them.

====Horse industry====

{{See also|Horse racing in the United States}}
[[File:KL Spring Running.jpg|thumb|Spring running of [[Keeneland]] in Lexington]]

Horse Racing has long been associated with Kentucky. [[Churchill Downs]], the home of the Derby, is a large venue with a capacity exceeding 165,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/211485/second-highest-derby-attendance-handle |title=Second-Highest Derby Attendance, Handle |website=bloodhorse.com |date=May 7, 2016 |access-date=August 9, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624144615/https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/211485/second-highest-derby-attendance-handle |url-status=live }}</ref> The track hosts multiple events throughout the year and is a significant draw to the city of Louisville. [[Keeneland Race Course]], in Lexington, hosts two major meets, the Spring and Fall running. Beyond hosting races Keeneland also hosts a significant horse auction drawing buyers from around the world. In 2019 $360{{spaces}}million was spent on the September Yearling sale.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-biggest-horse-sale-keeneland-kentucky-photos-2019-10|title=What it's like going to the 'Super Bowl of horse sales,' where royals and millionaires bid on horses they hope might be the next Kentucky Derby winner|first=Katie|last=Warren|website=Business Insider|access-date=August 27, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910093425/https://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-biggest-horse-sale-keeneland-kentucky-photos-2019-10|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Kentucky Horse Park]] in [[Georgetown, Kentucky|Georgetown]] hosts multiple events throughout the year, including international equestrian competitions and also offers horseback riding from April to October.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kyhorsepark.com/|title=Home|website=Kentucky Horse Park|access-date=August 27, 2020|archive-date=February 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211005859/https://kyhorsepark.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>